“His winning bid determines how long he has you. Only he gets to see that at the end of the auction. If he wins, he has at least one night with you, but you won’t know if you have more time to spend with him or not. It raises the stakes so to speak.”
“But…” I’m flabbergasted. Edge is going to bid on me and I won’t know if I’m his for one night or one year? “How does that make sense?”
The girls giggle.
“It makes it so you work really hard to please them the first night,” Michelle says. “Not knowing if all you have is the one night or much longer heightens the tension.”
Penny lays her hand on my arm. “Trust me, it messes with your head, but in a really good way.”
“And you’re all okay with this?” I ask. “Not knowing?”
It doesn’t escape my notice that some of them appear to be in long term relationships. For them, the auction is just for fun.
For me?
I could be tying myself to a stranger for a year if I’m not careful. I glance at the bidding sheets in my hand and reconsider the amounts I’ve placed.
“I’m sorry. I’ve never had to place a price-tag on myself.” My hands are shaking. I glance at Michelle. “He’ll tell me, right? Edge will tell me how long?”
Michelle gives a shrug. “It’s up to him.”
“Don’t stress, hunny,” Penny says. “Edge is one of our most experienced Doms. I’m sure if you ask, he’ll let you know. If not…” She shrugs. “If he doesn’t, there’s a reason behind it. Trust in your Dom.”
“Well,” Katy says, “just put down an amount you feel comfortable with. If you only want an evening, make it reasonable. Raise the prices on the week, month, and year, but be careful.”
“Why?”
“High-priced escorts charge one- to two-thousand an hour...” Her voice trails off and I’m left with my mouth gaping.
“B-b-but that’s tens of thousands of dollars!”
“Actually, it’s a few hundred thousand for a week of your time.” Katy hands me back my first piece of paper. “How about you add a zero to that?”
Five thousand dollars for an evening? Am I worth that? Will Edge think I am?
If he doesn’t bid my minimum, my entire evening ends before it has a chance to begin. I know for certain he won’t meet the Reserve for a month, and I put a staggering amount on the Reserve bid for a year.
Chapter 8
My descent into The Ties that Bind, brings me close to the witching hour. That’s the time this auction begins. Evidently, there’s a bit of preparation for an event of this magnitude.
My gut churns with excitement, fear, anxiety, and an inexplicable feeling of foreboding. In less than an hour, or two, my entire life is going to change.
I’m not allowed to see Edge, and he’s not allowed to see me. After dropping me off, the next time our gazes meet will be with me on the auction block.
We’re headed there now. Me in my leather and lace. Michelle in her genie attire. Penny is decked out in a red leather corset. I helped put her into it and watched her waist shrink before my eyes as the laces drew taught. Black dress pants, white pressed shirt, and black blazer complete Katy’s outfit. She’s not going on the block.
My future is in her hands. She holds the stack of our Reserve bids.
Alexa is the cutest in our group. One of the girls mentioned a professor and I’m thinking Alexa’s tight crop top, short plaid skirt, thigh-high white stockings, and Patent leather shoes says a lot about her and this professor. She smiles each time he’s mentioned.
The leather encircling my body hugs me tight and settles over me like a second skin. No longer do I feel awkward, although the thong digs like dental floss between my butt cheeks.
Edge likes the outfit, at least that’s what Michelle says. His reaction when he first saw me in it swells my chest with pride. There’s no denying the truth. He’s interested and hungry.
For me.
I’ve never experienced that from a man before. To be honest, everything is overwhelming. I’m even more surprised when the true scale of this event is revealed.
I thought only Katy, Michelle, Penny, Alexa, and I were going up on the auction block. I mean, how big can this club be? Turns out, it’s much larger than I imagine.
We join a score of other women dressed in outfits meant to tempt and tease.
“Who are all these women?” I whisper my question to Michelle and try to keep calm. That proves nearly impossible because my heart is slamming away inside my chest like a jack hammer.
“Subs from the club.”
“How many people are in this club?”
She places a hand to my shoulder and gives it a pat. The gesture is meant to be reassuring, but I’m still stunned.
“We have an active membership over five hundred and about as many inactive members. Nearly the entire membership is here tonight. Like I said, this is a major charity fundraising event for the club. What better way to support philanthropy than by throwing a massive party?”
Right? A party where women are auctioned off for sexual favors? The irony is not lost on me. Except, every woman here is willing. They know what they’re doing. I’m naive, and completely out of my depth.
I envisioned a small raised platform with a few rows of seats for the bidders. That is not where Katy leads us.
Our little group joins others in a long line and follow Katy down a series of hallways. We step in single file and, with a finger placed over her lips, Katy commands us to silence. She leads us to a door prominently marked Stage Entrance.
My heartbeat kicks up a notch. The weight of that door doesn’t whisper small intimate gathering. A deep, resonating buzz comes through the door, and the low rumble of male voices is unmistakable.
This is it!
If I’m going to back out, now is the time.
I don’t. I should, but I don’t.
My head and heart are having one hell of a conversation right now. Or maybe it’s the angel sitting over my right shoulder and the devil lounging on my left.
The angel says I should leave and my head agrees. It makes the most sense. It’s the safest option. The devil however whispers wicked things and lost opportunities if I don’t proceed. My heart agrees. When else will I have a chance like this?
The Ties that Bind only holds this event once a year. If Edge hadn’t answered that door, I might have never had an opportunity to experience this.
Instead, fate intervened. Edge opened that door. He invited me inside and claimed me on sight.
There’s no way in hell, I’m leaving.
Katy yanks on that heavy door, opening it, and I walk toward whatever fate has in store for me.
My heart bangs inside my chest as I step onto the stage. Lights shine up on us from the floor and down from the ceiling. The entire audience is nothing but a black void.
No matter how hard I squint, I see nothing. The low rumble quiets with our arrival. I can’t see them, but I feel the weight of hundreds of hungry eyes devouring us on stage.
Not all of us have placed Reserve bids. Other than Michelle, Penny, Alexa and myself, there are only three others who join us on a special raised dais set to the side of the stage.
There are seven posts fixed to the floor with heavy rings mounted at the top. I'm taking a post that was supposed to remain empty in remembrance of Katy's late Master. Instead, Edge requested its use to put me up for auction. I'm not sure what to think about that, except I've never been this wanted by a man before. Edge isn't possessive, he's determined to get what he wants.
That's me.
I'm what he wants.
Chains dangle down from the rings and there is a set of black leather handcuffs placed at the foot of each pole. The other girls, a score or more of them, line up along the curtain toward the back of the stage.
There’s a singular raised platform far forward and a spotlight shines down on it. They are literally being auctioned off to the highest bidder.
Men come
forward carrying lengths of roughhewn rope. They start at the far right and bind each girl’s hands together—the ties that bind.
The seven of us are ushered to the side of the stage, right behind the dais with the seven poles.
The lights along the floor of the stage brighten suddenly, leaving me blinking against the glare. When I open my eyes, I look out to where the audience should be and see nothing.
I feel the men.
Their overwhelming presence isn’t something I can ignore. It’s oppressive, dangerous, and intoxicating. It does something to me, knowing I’m on display. My entire body feels light as if I’m floating away.
But then sandalwood and musk fills my senses. I blink to clear my vision, but the lights in front of me are blinding. There’s no one in front of me, but there’s most definitely someone standing directly behind me.
When did Edge arrive?
“You’re trembling.” His sexy voice rolls over me and a shiver overtakes me. He hasn’t touched me and yet I feel him all around me.
“I’m sorry,” I say, apologizing for something I can’t control. “I’m really nervous.”
“Nervous?” he soothes. “There’s no reason to be nervous.” He steps right behind me and I feel the weight of him as he leans against me.
His touch turns that shiver into a shudder and I moan against the sensations heating up within me. I want this man.
The rough pads of his fingers touch the tip of my shoulder, slide up the sweep of my neck, and stroke down my jaw to my chin. He has me in his grip again, finger and thumb directing my head. A little pressure and I’m turning my head to the side where the curve of my earlobe meets the heat of his lips. Another needy moan escapes me as he sucks on my earlobe and trails his lips along my jaw.
More pressure on my chin and I’m looking over my shoulder. His lips find mine and the entire world disappears beneath an explosion of sparks, electricity, and molten heat.
His kiss is gentle, yet sure, confident and demanding. His tongue presses against my lips, demanding entrance, and I open for him. We stand there for what seems an eternity as I drink in the dark and sinful taste of him.
The moment ends far too soon though.
I groan when he pulls back, and for whatever reason, I’m firmly rooted in place. Nobody told me I’m not to move, but I sense it’s not allowed.
“Give me your wrists,” he says. The jangle of metal reminds me of the chains overhead, but that’s not what’s making that sound.
I lift my arms and place my wrists over my shoulder where he can reach them. His sure grip takes one wrist and within moments he has a leather cuff fastened around it. A second later, my other wrist is also encased in leather. There’s a tug upward, and I comply, raising my hands overhead. This time the noise is from the chain as he secures me to the post.
“There,” he says, his voice smug. “You’re bound until the end. I have all evening to admire you and determine how much I shall bid. Tell me, little mouse, how brave do you feel?”
His use of little mouse does strange things to my insides. I’m not upset by the name. I love it. I love the way it heats me up from the inside out and how it makes my entire body come alive.
“I asked you a question, little mouse,” he says. “When I ask a question, it demands an answer.” His hand comes down on my ass, a sharp, attention getting thwack.
My body lifts up on tiptoe and I give a little yelp. His reprimand has me gulping and I’m squeezing my thighs together, desperate to relieve an unrelenting ache that swat ignites between my legs.
“S-sir,” I say, my words a little slurred, “I’m still terrified.”
“As you should be when facing the unknown.” The heat of his breath whispers promises against my skin. “But, I give my promise to you. Your limits will always be respected. You have nothing to fear from me. And before we begin, we’ll make sure you have a safety net. I plan to take you into a delicious realm, but I ask you again...how brave do you feel? How far are you willing to go?”
Chapter 9
How brave do I feel? With Edge standing beside me, I can take on the world. It’s only when he’s not there that doubt creeps in.
“I feel good,” I say in reply to his question.
My answer must be acceptable because he gives my ass a little swat. This one is a soft connection of flesh against flesh rather than the sudden attention grabbing smack from before.
“I’m happy to hear that,” he says. “Are you still interested in pursuing this?”
I bite my lower lip and give a nod.
“Use your words, little mouse. We must communicate openly. I can’t guess what you’re thinking. Imagine what might happen if I get it wrong.”
He has a point.
“Yes, Sir. I am.” My voice is steady and sure. One night of exploration will be a thing to cherish for the rest of my life.
“For a night?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“A week?”
My answer isn’t as sure nor as quick as before. This requires a moment of thought. But I wonder what would it be like to submit to this man for a week. I’m wise enough to know real life will intervene. Can I handle seven wonderful nights?
“Yes, Sir.” My answer is timid, but I’m relatively certain I’m speaking the truth.
There’s no way he’ll bid that high, so I’m relatively safe in my answer.
“That’s good to hear.” He runs his hand over my spine, beginning between my shoulder blades and ending at the top of my ass. His meaty hand cups the plump flesh and gives a good squeeze. “I’m not sure one night will be enough, little mouse.”
His touch heats my skin and ignites my nerves. Currents of electricity shoot through my body and I’m flying on an incredible high.
“What about a month? That’s quite a bit of time, little mouse. Are you prepared for that?”
I squirm beneath his touch. He wraps an arm around my waist and presses his palm flat against my belly. His strength pulls me to him and the heat of his body radiates against my back.
There’s something else too. The unmistakable bulge of his arousal presses against my hip. A greedy sound escapes me. His presence overwhelms me and it’s hard to think. It’s hard to grasp what a month might hold.
What kind of person will I be at the end of thirty days? I barely know this man and yet I’m considering it. I have no answer for this, except if I’m to serve a man, I don’t want to know him outside of this place beforehand. I can’t take myself where I need to go with anyone other than a stranger.
“A month?” My voice squeaks and I’m very much aware that is not an answer to his question.
“Yes, little mouse, an entire month. I wonder what sort of price you set as Reserve for a month of your time?” He trails a finger along my ribs and traces a path up the side of my body. His finger comes close to the curve of my breast, but continues to travel up until it meets my shoulder.
Up, up, and up, he sets fire to my skin with the sweep of his finger. His lazy path ends at my hand where he twines his fingers in mine. “Are you prepared to spend a month under my command?”
I struggle to answer. This is a much more difficult answer.
“I-I-I don’t know, Sir.”
“I love your honesty. If you’d said yes, I would have had to correct you. Consider this one of your first lessons, and be thankful you passed.”
“Lesson?”
“Yes.” He nips at my neck; the sharp edges of his teeth press into my skin until I’m hissing.
Our hands are still clasped above my head, and he holds me tight while he places his mark on me.
“Correction and punishment. Pleasure and Pain. These will form the basis of your life. Now tell me, are you willing?”
The pressure of his teeth sharpens and I hold back a screech. There’s no doubt I’ll leave this night with at least one mark proving it wasn’t a dream.
“I don’t know.”
“Ah, a truly honest answer. I’ll leave you be, and yo
u don’t have to answer this. If I outbid your Reserve for a year, what will you do?”
True to his word, he steps away. One moment he’s holding my hand. The next, only a whisper of him lingers in the air around me.
One year? That’s an eternity.
I most definitely do not think I can survive a year. I don’t know enough about this lifestyle to commit to anything more than a week. Which is why the Reserve I placed on both a month of my time, and a year, is stratospheric.
No man would pay that much for a woman he barely knows.
Beside me, the other girls are bound to their posts. Edge consumed my attention and I missed the men who will claim my new friends before this evening is up. All of them, the men, return to the darkness of the crowd and the first of the girls takes position center stage. Me, and my new friends, are bathed in light. There’s no hiding from our fate.
My position is uncomfortable and I squirm against the bindings. I try not to struggle too much, knowing Edge is out there watching my every move. My desire is to make him proud and show my worth to him.
This is something I choose.
I’m not being forced. Therefore, any discomfort is purely of my own making. I suffer for him.
Katy takes the stage and stands beside the first woman up for auction. The role she plays is a little unclear to me, except she’s a silent bastion of strength.
The first woman steps up to the block and strips out of her clothes. With stunning grace, she lowers herself to her knees, sits back on her heels and places her palms flat on her thighs. With a slight arch to her back, she faces the audience and stares straight ahead. There’s no fear in her face, only a serene acceptance.
The auction master comes forward and begins the bidding. Flashes of light return from the darkness; the only sign of the furious bidding taking place. At first, there’s scores of lights flashing, but as the numbers climb the flickers of light lessen until there are only two left. They battle for a time until only one remains.
When the auctioneer cries out ‘Sold!’ the woman bows and places her head to the floor. Katy comes to her side, attaches a collar around her neck, and leads her off the side of the stage.
Ivy: The Ties That Bind (Auction Night Book 4) Page 5